[comp.cog-eng] mental models and user interfaces

raymond@eurtrx.UUCP (Raymond van Beekum) (04/28/89)

Currently I am a first year PhD-student at the Rotterdam School of Management (Erasmus University, Holland) and my research is on the design of user interfaces.After reading the literature I have concluded that there are a lot of design
guidelines to be found but that there is no formalization of these guidelines 
into a design method. The aim of my PhD-thesis is to overcome this lack by 
the development of a design method which will result in user friendly user 
interfaces when used.
I am especially interested in the cognitive aspect of the user interface and 
in particular in the role of mental models and metaphors in the design process. There I would like to receive suggestions, comments or what so ever on the 
following subjects:
                  - mental models in the design process
                  - metaphors in the design process
                  - does a design method for user interfaces already exist
(but any other comment on my research is also welcome)

Raymond van Beekum
Rotterdam School of Management
Erasmus University
P.O. box 1738
3000 DR Rotterdam
The Netherlands